Doing Things Differently

I’ve been wanting to blog about this for the longest time, but kept forgetting.

Earlier this year, I had the best time reading a series of posts that my fabulous fellow-Libra friend, Meleah, over at Momma Mia, Mea Culpashared about her discoveries in Doing Things Differently.

In her posts, she documented her experiences of breaking away from her everyday routine; trying things completely dissimilar.

I was so inspired by Meleah, that I tried doing things differently myself just to see what it felt like. I first tried it on my days off from work, and I’ve gotta tell you….it was very cool!

Now if any of you are anything like me, you take great joy in doing things the same.

Routine allows us to feel comfortable because it's familiar.

For many of us, routine gives our lives a sense of stability.

Yet, there’s a ‘catch’ to living our lives strictly like this.

How do we react when the world around us suddenly throws us a curve ball and disrupts our doing things the same?

Most of us feel frazzled and annoyed. I know I do.

I mean, god forbid our routine gets disturbed. It’s as if someone pulled the rug out from under us.

Not only that, but often times we don’t even realize that doing things the same keeps us from discovering how much we can learn from being spontaneous and doing things differently.

I’ll give you a for instance….

Often when I go grocery shopping, I have a routine. I shop on the same days and at the same time every week. I go down the same isles; getting the same food. I go to the same checkout person because I feel comfortable with her. And when I walk home from the grocery store, I walk home the same way by using the same streets.

It’s all so the same and predictable.

However, last week I had a monkey wrench thrown into my routine, when I discovered that the store was out of one of my favorite food items which I purchase every week.

You should have seen me….I acted like a spoiled little brat who just had his grape lollipop taken away from him.

(stomping my feet and grumbling to myself) I said, “Who the HELL do they think they are being out of my favorite food item? When I get home, I’m going to call corporate and tell them they need to get their act together or I’m not going to shop in this PIECE OF SHIT store anymore!”

I acted like Bette Davis as the tempermental Margo Channing in the movie, All About Eve.

Then, after calming myself down, I happened to notice a new frozen food item that was next to the item I usually purchase. I picked it up and glanced at the picture on the box. It looked kind of interesting, so I decided to purchase two of them.

Well…..can I just tell you? They were the BEST things I had ever tasted. And as I was eating one for dinner that night, I thought to myself, “Ya see, you JERK FACE….you discovered something completely different, and it was GOOD!”

Now, I’m not saying that doing things the same is all negative, because sometimes we need structure in our lives to keep it organized. However, we also need to learn how to be adaptable to when life throws us a curve ball and gives us the opportunity to do something different.

God knows, I do.

I now try and do at least one thing differently in my life, once a week. Even if it’s something as simple as having my afternoon cup of coffee at a different Starbucks, or walking home from the grocery store using different streets.

It seems to keep my life fresh; seeing things differently.

So, I ask all of you to try doing something completely different from how you normally do it.

52 comments

Its always nice to be here!To tell you the truth, we all fall in a rut and sometimes, like to stay in it! Habits are comfortable and easy.

If you want to see the real extreme of habits, go find a Senior. I knew this very closely, having helped my widowed FIL over almost a decade. And it could make me down to see that life at that age was sometimes reduced to habit patterns everyday; the time to take meds, to go grocery shopping, to take a nap, etc etc.

After a few years alongside FIL, I was feeling as old as him on some days!

Careful Ronnie, that you don't get as stuck in your habits! Look at how one small change made you happy :)

i love doing something different for every weekend. though most of the time it may not turn out to be as unpredictable as i hope, but there's a feeling, like "at least it wasn't what we did last weekend". i agree on the part where you mentioned "routine made one feel comfortable n stable". i needed that a lot at work for a certain reason, but not off work. there isn't much we can do on a weekday's night, but sometimes even choosing a different day to eat out feels fresh! or maybe a different place other than where we usually dine. little things that sometimes will turn out to be both fun n exciting!

That is interesting, Ron, because I've been on a kick to buy one new thing at the grocery store every week. We've tried sweet potato chips, jasmine rice with coconut and a variety of new fruits and vegies including a pear cactus fruit. It's been fun!

I'm so boring though that I'd have trouble coming up with other new things. I seem to always be more concerned about the quickest way to do things than anything else!

OMG if ever a post hit home this one did. Honestly, my shopping expedition is EXACTLY like yours is, sorry, was. So identical, I felt ashamed that it had been like that for so long. BUT, only last week I suggested a more varied diet having become sick and tired of the same old style of eating day in day out. Heehee Hubs, as resident cook, is now the one to throw a tantrum ... but even he is beginning to recognise that we're stuck in a rut. My heart yearned for more salad accompaniments and less boiled veg. Boiled veg, I ask you, is there anything worse apart from dollops of strychnine? Have an enjoyable week doing different things.

I will definitely take up on the challenge! I know I hate breaking my lil' routines as well. But I almost always end up being so contented I did. Last night, for instance, I went to the theater - on a Sunday night! ...and was so glad I did! Strolled back home the dim Paris streets and felt just... good.

very interesting idea! I know I love to try new things, but am usually pretty content with my normal routine! This post inspires me...I'm going to try something different today. Maybe I'll do new equipement at the gym?!

"That is interesting, Ron, because I've been on a kick to buy one new thing at the grocery store every week."

You GO, girl!!!!!!! That's what I'm trying to do too. And isn't ironic how even trying ONE new thing puts a "lift" in your week? I'm one of those people who gets into an eating routine, yet at the same time get's bored with it. So, I'm the perfect candidate for trying something different.

OMG...I can't believe you mentioned sweet potato chips because a few months ago I tried a bag of those from Trader Joe's and LOVED them! They're totally different than regular potato chips - sweeter and crunchier. Yummy! And don't ya just love the taste of jasmine rice? I've never tasted a pear catus fruit before, but it sounds delish!

Thanks a bunch for stopping by, Bijoux. Wishing you a maaaavalous week!

"I love to try new things, but am usually pretty content with my normal routine!"

I sooooo know what you mean because I'm the same way. I get very content with my normal routine, but then I also want to try something different at times, yet hesitate because my normal routine feels so comfortable - HA!

"Instead of going to the gym I tidied up my garden.Then I brushed the patio and paths with sand and cement to replace what came out when we jetwashed them last week."

WOW! That's faaaaaaaaaaabulous!

Sometimes on my days off from work, I'll try to do things completely opposite from how I normally do them. Instead of doing my laundry in the morning (which I traditionally do), I'll try do it at night. And the funny thing about that is I'll meet different tenants from the building who I've never met before!

A tantrum? In the frozen foods section? hahahaha!!OK, I suppose I could be persuaded to try something different, in a small way. Like not waiting for 6 weeks to pick up my dry cleaning? Or flossing less haphazardly? Or picking up the mail 2-3 times per week instead of just once, when the mailbox is so crammed full that the postal carrier is about to have a fit?

"Like not waiting for 6 weeks to pick up my dry cleaning? Or flossing less haphazardly? Or picking up the mail 2-3 times per week instead of just once, when the mailbox is so crammed full that the postal carrier is about to have a fit?"

HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA! OMG, how funny! No, not THAT different. Maybe little things, like simply changing the way you drive home from work one day, or even going to a new restaurant on the weekends.

For me, doing something different breaks me out of my 'auto-pilot mode' and allows me to experience something that often times surprises me. In a good way.

Oh gosh .. I am so bad at this! I looove routine. I hate surprises. It takes me forever to even plan a holiday - in fact I probably wouldn't ever go anywhere if OH didn't badger me and keep asking about dates and locations and travel plans and when-are-we-going-to-sit-down-and-discuss-this?

Yeah, it takes a LOT of effort for me, and let me tell you, that's what the Depp Effect was all about; being open to just saying 'fuck it' and doing something you wouldn't normally consider. If you need more info on that, go read my 'about me' page, it's all in there.

But then life threw me for a loop. I had a rotator cuff repair (the single most painful thing I've ever gone through, by the way) and while I was in the early weeks of recovery, my two beloved greyhounds both had to be put to sleep within five weeks of each other. Then I started having the most horrendous stomach/chest pain and it turned out I have acid reflux and had an ulcer on my oesophagus. Then in the process of checking that out with a gastroscopy (the single most HIDEOUS experience of my life, while not the most painful) they tell me I have an unknown lump in my oesophagus which needs further investigation (turned out it's OK, so don't fret). An Uncle died, my brother's wife left him and we discovered she'd been leading him a dog's life for years without him saying a word .. it just seemed to go on and on.

And the bottom line is that I've retreated into the safety of routine again. But you know what? It has GOT to change!!

I must admit that doing things differently can be great. Though Mo and I do have a routine, we are always open to change things a little. Routine does become more of a thing as you get older though, so we'll have to watch out for that ;)

Oh YAY! Ronnie I am SOOOOOO excited you are DTD with me! We are going to have FUN with this. And, I am seriously cracking up - because just today, I wrote MY new DTD blog post too. Talk about being on the same page, my dearest Libra friend!

I'm a creature of habit with some things... like going to my fav Barnes. For a good while now, I either get hot water for the tea bag I've brought from home, or I get a green tea latte made a specific way. Those things I can't negotiate on. But I don't foodshop the same time each week. Heck, I don't even go every week. I don't blog regularly.. as you know.. it keeps 'em wondering what is so fabulous in my life that I can't put up a regular post. ;) And many other things, I just do whenever... cooking, wash, cleaning, etc., I really have no routine at all for many things in my life. Sometimes we'll go to a movie or dinner on the spur of the moment and if a girlfriend gets in touch last minute to meet for coffee, I'm out the door asap! Sometimes I think I need MORE of a routine! My little business is crying for a schedule and my family never knows if they'll have to go out wearing dirty underwear.

Hey, I think I'm going to call TJ's and get the store surveillance tape of your hissy fit. I'll bet lots of your readers would swing by my blog to see it!! ;)

" My little business is crying for a schedule and my family never knows if they'll have to go out wearing dirty underwear."

Bwhahahahahahahahahaha! OMG, that made me HOWL!!!!

I think it's great that you have no set routine to your daily living. I wish I could be more like that. I do have a routine when it comes to my work. But, even that I try to change up a bit when I can, like changing the days I normally work. I have set hours, but not set days, so it enables me to do things differently when I want.

"Hey, I think I'm going to call TJ's and get the store surveillance tape of your hissy fit. I'll bet lots of your readers would swing by my blog to see it!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Brilliant idea! Yeah, I bet they would! OMG, I acted like a complete BABY!

I dunno. I have a hard enough time trying something different when ordering at my favorite Mexican joint. I just can't bring myself to do it!

But if you're all about doing things differently then you have to check out the book I'm reading right now: Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer. Talking about a guy who does anything *but* normal. I'm not sure I agree with his ideology, but he did what his heart told to do. It's a quick read, so check it out! I think you'd dig it...

"I dunno. I have a hard enough time trying something different when ordering at my favorite Mexican joint. I just can't bring myself to do it!"

HAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHHAAHAHA! OMG, that made me laugh because I so know what you mean.

I love to eat at this one particular place for lunch. Well, everytime I went in I would order the SAME sandwich over and over and over again, until finally one day I said to myself, "This is ENOUGH. I'm ordering something DIFFERENT today!"

So I did.

And you know what?

I HATED it!

Bwhahahahahahahaaha!

No, only kidding. I actually loved it!

Thanks for the heads up about the book. It sounds like something I would really enjoy. You alway share the best stuff!

Ron, I'm so glad you broke out of your routine, and chose the "pot pie" over the "mac and cheese" (or whatever it was that was so tasty in the frozen food aisle.) I myself, hate too much routine, so doing something differently, for me is doing it exactly the same way two days in a row! Weird, huh? FYI - I finally added you to my blogroll.

Great post! Routines can be so deadly. Whenever I find myself saying I do something because "that's the way I've always done it" I take that as a sign that it's time to change. So life threw you a curve and you knocked it out of the park!

"My father is the King of that -- he almost always comes home with at least one new thing.

Oh, bless your father for being so open to trying something new and DIFFERENT!

"Should've seen us, the first time he brought home a coconut. I think it was 1970, and we opened it in the driveway with a hammer and nail. :-)"

OMG, that's hysterical because I remember being a kid and my mother bringing home a fresh coconut for the very first time, and using a hammer and nail to open it. We were so excited as kids, because we had never seen a REAL coconut before!

Thank you for stopping by, Pearl! Hope you're having a wonderful week!

I think it's great to change things up whenever you can. I love my routine but just even eating something different in the morning is a good start. Particularly in the winter I find it's a good idea to get out as much as possible and go to new places. Thanks for reminding me of this.

I am the other side of the coin. I just love the cooky things that present itself to me. I often choose the meal off the menu that I have never had before. I love to go down streets that are unfamilar and try to find my way back home. It is a hoot for me! The routine of being non-routine seems to attract my soul. Somtimes I wear a black and a white sock just to be different. Yet when it comes to tv I have to watch the same shows each week at the same time and sit in the same chair. When I don't strange things happen to my mind and I turn into the person who is obsessed and I cannot function for that time.So now I will sign off by saying HELLO

"I am the other side of the coin. I just love the cooky things that present itself to me. I often choose the meal off the menu that I have never had before. I love to go down streets that are unfamilar and try to find my way back home."

BRAVO! Good for you, my friend! I'm slowly learning how to do that, because you're right...the routine of being non-routine seem to attract my soul.

Beautifully said!

"So now I will sign off by saying HELLO."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Thanks soooooooo much for stopping by and adding humor and wisdom to this post!

Great philosophy! I'm all about embracing change. In theory, anyway. In the real world, that doesn't happen as often as I'd like. You've inspired me to go look for one of those apple-on-the-outside-orange-on-the-inside pieces of fruit!

I have to tell you Ron that I am only really beginning to have stable routines and they are strange and wonderful things. Just after the new year, I thought about routines and the normal roles that people fill in their lives and I thought to myself, "is this how regular people live? What am I supposed to do next? How does routine work?" Routine fled my life when when husband got sick and I learned very quickly to adapt to whatever changes sprung up whether I liked it or not. I did not have a choice in the matter and clung on for dear life.

I still retain a pretty good sense of that fly by the seat of my pants mentality. On weekends where nothing is scheduled, we might pick up for a trip to the beach, a local attraction or a trip to a pool. This past weekend, a snowstorm delayed a planned getaway, then a case of headlice prevented a planned visit with friends I hadn't seen in ages. So what did we do? Went bowling! Perfect! Then surprised my folks with a visit for the night.

Yup, I am pretty good at thinking on my feet and don't mind shake-ups to my routine, but am really cherishing the normal that is materializing in my world, for the wonderfulness that it brings.

It sounds to me like you have an EXCELLENT understanding of both a routine and flying by the seat of your pants ( or doing things differently).

Like you shared, when your husband got sick...you went with the flow and adapted to the many changes you were going through. However, now...I can TOTALLY understand your enjoyment of having a routine in your life.

I think the 'key' to both, is understanding WHEN to go with each one.

"Yup, I am pretty good at thinking on my feet and don't mind shake-ups to my routine, but am really cherishing the normal that is materializing in my world, for the wonderfulness that it brings."

BRAVA, my friend!

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing yourself on this post. You've added MUCH!